More overland evacuations of Americans from Afghanistan: State Department
One more U.S. citizen and two more lawful permanent residents evacuated Afghanistan via overland routes Tuesday, according to State Dept. spokesperson Ned Price.
The State Department provided guidance to them, engaged the Taliban on their safe passage, and had consular officials on the other side of the border to greet them, he said.
Price declined to say which country they transited to, but said these overland evacuations have taken different routes.
To date, at least 36 U.S. citizens and 24 Green Card holders have been evacuated since the U.S. military completed its withdrawal — including seven U.S. citizens and 13 Green Card holders via overland routes in total.
Yet, the agency still said the number of American citizens who want to leave is still 100. Despite growing skepticism about that number, Price — just as Blinken did Tuesday and Monday — said the number is “dynamic” because the situation is so fluid, with some Americans changing their minds about seeking U.S. help, especially as they see that “we are living up to our commitment … in safe and effective ways.”
He also implied that the lists of other Americans that aid groups, lawmakers and others have often don’t end up including folks who aren’t U.S. citizens, but the “distant relatives” and friends of Americans who come asking for help.
The U.S. continues to talk to the Taliban, but those discussions are largely about Americans’ safe passage, according to Price, calling them “pragmatic,” “technical” and “focused on practical issues.”
There’s still been no evacuations from Mazar-e-Sharif, the northern city where chartered planes had been organized but barred from taking off. Price said they’re not aware of any flights departing there, but again admitted the limits of U.S. power here saying the U.S. had pulled “every lever” available to get these flights out.
7 Marines injured in attack at Kabul airport remain at Walter Reed
Seven Marines injured in the Aug. 26 terror attack at the airport in Kabul remain under care at Walter Reed, according to a Marine Corps statement released Tuesday night.
Two are listed in critical, but stable condition, the statement said, and five are in serious, but stable condition.
The service will not confirm the names of the wounded Marines or indicate which units they serve in, “in an effort to protect their privacy,” said Capt. Johnny Henderson, Marine Corps spokesperson.
Funerals being held for service members killed in Kabul airport bombing
Public funerals are being held this week for the service members killed in last month’s ISIS-K suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.
On Tuesday, thousands attended a public funeral at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Lawerence, Massachusetts, for Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, one of two women killed in the attack.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty ImagesPolice officers salute the casket of Sgt. Joh…Read MoreA funeral service was held Monday morning in Milan, Ohio, for Navy Corpsman Maxton Soviak, 22, at the Edison High School Stadium — Soviak’s alma mater.
Tony Dejak/APThe U.S. Navy Honor Guard carries the cas…Read More
Provided by U.S. NavyMax Soviak was killed along with 12 other…Read MoreOn Sunday, residents of Logansport, Indiana, watched the funeral procession of Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, 22, as his body was returned to his hometown.
U.S. Marines via ReutersAn undated photo of Humberto Sanchez, 2…Read More-ABC News’ Meredith Deliso, Miles Cohen, Luis Martinez, and Jennifer Watts
